Government intends to keep taxes and fees low

Government fees and charges excluding the certificates of entitlement (COE) that motorists need to own a vehicle, account for 0.1 percentage point of the high inflation that Singapore is now facing.

Minister of State for Finance and Transport Josephine Teo cited this figure on Monday to 'put things into perspective'.

Both Mrs Teo and Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang pointed out that more than half of the 5.2 per cent headline inflation in March was due to housing rentals and a sharp spike in COE prices for private cars.

Mrs Teo said all government agencies will do their best to keep costs and fees as low as possible for households and businesses.